The Schlafly Farmers Market, open from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesdays in the summer, now offers Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients a “double bucks” program to encourage healthy food choices, according to a press release.
The St. Louis Farmers Market Association, in an effort to improve the affordability and accessibility of healthy, local foods is now offering SNAP 2 It! to its customers.
SNAP 2 It! is a double bucks program for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients at farmers markets in the St. Louis region. Consumers using their SNAP card to purchase local fruits and vegetables receive a $1 for $1 match value (in tokens) of up to $20 per week per SNAP cardholder.
The program aims to provide incentives to encourage healthy eating choices for SNAP recipients, directly benefiting low-income families as well as local farmers.
As a subgrantee of Wholesome Wave, the St. Louis Farmers Market Association is tapping into the USDA’s Food Insecurity Nutrition Incentive (FINI) grant program. FINI is designed increase affordable access to fruits and vegetables via direct-to-consumer outlets, including farmers markets.
Brian DeSmet, manager of the Schlafly Farmers Market, said “We are excited to be collaborating with Wholesome Wave on the FINI grant to increase access to fresh, healthy foods for limited-income people in our community. Wholesome Wave has been at the forefront of developing nutrition incentive programs at farmers markets for many years, and we look forward to drawing on their experience to benefit both consumers and farmers in our region.”
In addition, the association is launching a website, www.snap2itstl.org, to promote the program and answer consumer questions. Participating farmers markets include:
- Cherokee Street International Farmers Market
- EarthDance Farms (at Ferguson Farmers Market)
- International Institute of St. Louis Global Farms
- North City Farmers’ Market
- Schlafly Farmers Market
- Tower Grove Farmers’ Market
- Webster Groves Farmers Market
Program guidelines and details:
SNAP purchases on local fruits and vegetables receive a $1 for $1 match value (in
tokens) of up to $20/week/SNAP cardholder.
Tokens must be redeemed at the farmers market where issued.
SNAP 2 It! reserves the right to change match amounts at any time.
According to USDA rules: 1) No change is given on purchases made with SNAP and 2)
SNAP dollars must be spent on SNAP eligible foods
For more information, visit www.snap2itstl.org or contact: Brian DeSmet, Schlafly Farmers Market manager (314-323-8910 or [email protected]) or Jessica Payne, North City Farmers’ market manager (314-241-5031 or [email protected])